Sweden's New Prison Regime for Offenders as Young as 13 Sparks Controversy
Sweden has officially detailed how prison conditions will apply to children as young as 13 who are convicted of serious crimes, ahead of a contentious reform scheduled to take effect in July. The minority right-wing government, supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, announced earlier this year that it would lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 as part of a broader crackdown on rising violent crime.
Widespread Opposition to the Proposal
The proposal has faced widespread opposition from various public bodies. Of the 126 entities consulted, a majority, including police authorities and the prison service, expressed criticism or outright rejection of the measure. Despite this, the government has pressed ahead with the reform, citing the need to address escalating gang-related violence.
Sweden has grappled for over a decade with increasing gang-related violence, including shootings and bombings tied to rival criminal networks competing for control of the drug trade. Authorities report that gangs have increasingly recruited children under 15 through online platforms, exploiting the fact that they previously could not face prison sentences.
New Framework for Young Offenders
Under the new framework, eight existing prisons will establish dedicated units for young offenders. Three of these specialized sections are expected to be operational by July 1, when the reform comes into force. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer emphasized that minors will be housed separately from adult inmates.
Minors will be confined to their cells for 11 hours each night, compared with 14 hours for adults. During the day, they will attend school lessons and have access to designated facilities, including a cafeteria, recreation yard, gym, and medical services. Strömmer argued that society and crime have changed fundamentally, noting that while fewer young people commit crimes overall, those who do are responsible for increasingly serious offenses involving weapons and explosives.
Criticism from Child Advocacy Groups
Child advocacy group Bris sharply criticized the reform, calling it "counter-productive, insufficiently researched and a violation of children's rights." The organization warned that imprisoning children at such a young age could increase repeat offending and push criminal networks to recruit even younger minors.
The government has described the measure as temporary, with the law set to apply for an initial five-year period. This move is part of Sweden's ongoing efforts to combat violent crime, but it continues to spark debate over the balance between security and children's rights.
